Punctuation

1. A comma is used to separate phrases or items in a list.

1.1. comma ,

2. A dash is used to separate parts of a sentence.

2.1. dash —

3. An ellipsis (three dots) indicates that part of the text has been intentionally been left out.

3.1. ellipsis ...

4. A hyphen is used between parts of a compound word or name. It is also used to split a word by syllables to fit on a line of text.

4.1. hyphen -

5. A period is used to note the end of a declarative sentence.

5.1. period .

6. Quotation marks are used at the beginning and end of a phrase to show that it is being written exactly as it was originally said or written.

6.1. quotation mark "

7. An apostrophe is used as a substitute for a missing letter or letters in a word (as in the contraction cannot = can't)

7.1. apostrophe '

8. A colon is used before a list or quote.

8.1. colon :

9. An exclamation point is used to show excitement or emphasis.

9.1. exclamation point !

10. Parentheses are curved lines used to separate explanations or qualifying statements within a sentence

10.1. parentheses ()

11. A question mark is used at the end of a question.

11.1. question mark ?

12. A semicolon separates two independent clauses in a compound sentence.

12.1. semicolon ;